The Grand Ole Opry is country music's biggest stage, home to legends and rising stars. From the radio show that made it famous in 1925 to the cultural landmark and global phenomenon it is today, there is a lot to know about the iconic country music venue!
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In 1925, the National Life and Accident Insurance Company launched WSM Radio, named after its slogan “We Shield Millions.” What began as a small company radio project became the heartbeat of American country music.
On November 28, 1925, George D. Hay introduced fiddler Uncle Jimmy Thompson on the WSM Barn Dance. That night became known as the birth of the Grand Ole Opry and the start of a show that has never missed a Saturday since.
Two years later, Hay made an offhand joke on-air after a classical music program, saying it was time for the “Grand Ole Opry.” The name stuck, marking the beginning of a new era for American music.
From 1943 to 1974, the Opry lived at the Ryman Auditorium, now lovingly called The Mother Church of Country Music. It was here that Elvis made his only Opry appearance, Dolly Parton joined the family, and Johnny Cash met June Carter and broke the stage lights during one fiery performance.
When the Opry moved to its new house in 1974, a six-foot circle of wood from the Ryman stage was placed center stage at the new venue. President Richard Nixon attended the opening night and even played piano, a fitting welcome to the Opry’s new home.
The Opry aired its first television broadcast in 1978 on PBS, bringing the show’s magic to living rooms across the country. By the 1980s, millions were tuning in each week to watch the next generation of country stars.
Over the decades, Opry members have included Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Combs. Each one has become part of a musical family stretching back a century.
In 2010, a devastating flood filled the Opry House with water. The circle of wood from the Ryman was rescued, restored, and returned to the stage, proving that no matter what happens, the show always goes on.
In 2020, during the pandemic, the Opry continued without a live audience, broadcasting each week on WSM Radio and Circle TV. It reminded the world that the Opry is more than a stage—it is a promise to keep country music alive.
In 2025, the Grand Ole Opry marks 100 years of live country music, storytelling, and community. The centennial year celebrates the artists, fans, and traditions that have made the Opry the true home of country music for a century—and counting.
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